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Chavez sings a tune with Larry King

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Hugo Chavez's 2009 interview with CNN

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Hugo Chavez's 2009 interview with CNN29:50

"He was a conflicted person. An enigma. Yes, he was against capitalism, but he helped a lot of people, especially in the Northeast (of the U.S.). When there was a shortage of oil, he gave a lot of free oil to that area."

Cala and King also talked about King's web-based show, "Larry King Now," that's been on Oratv.com and distributed by Hulu.com since July last year, and his backer -- Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.

"Carlos Slim has become a good friend of mine," said King. "He invited me to Mexico to speak at an event about three years ago, and it turns out he had been watching me for years. Now, we work together."

"It's nice to have the richest man in the world be my partner," King added. "He's very good at standing aside and letting us do it." (According to Forbes magazine, Slim is the world's richest person with a net worth of $69 billion, having made his fortune in the telecommunications industry.)

Cala took the opportunity to tell King in person how much of an impression he'd left on him when he was a young man in Cuba 15 years ago.

"When I first saw you, I was in Cuba and not knowing what my future would be," Cala said. "And, now, I'm sitting here and interviewing you. So, dreams come true."

Cala even paid homage to his hero in his wardrobe choice for the interview, greeting King wearing a matching button-down shirt, tie and signature black suspenders.

Since King lived in Miami for 20 years, some might find it odd that he never learned Spanish.

"I don't have a linguistic ear. I never picked it up," King said. But he said he still loves the language and music. "I've always had Latin flavor."

The interview was done in English and will be dubbed into Spanish for the CNN en Español show to air on Monday, March 25, at 9 p.m. ET.